The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-15
A SAD STORY OF THE WAR.

A SAD STORY OF THE WAR.
The story of Hugh Thompsonis wonder
fully strange, and yet we do not hesitate
in pronouncing it true. It has been on
week, and is still the universal talk. Hugh
Thompson, son of Robert Thompson,
of this place, enlisted in the early part of
the war in the Fifteenth Ohio V. V. l.,
being then in his nineteenth year, and
soon afterward went to the front. He
participated in all the sanguin airy engage.
ments in Tennessee up to and including
the battle of Chick amauga. During the
second day of this memorable fight, Sep
TENDER 20, 1868, he was wounded in the
head by a ball, and fell upon the field.
When the roll of his company was called
the next morning, he was reported as
wounded and missing in action" AS
nothing could be learned Of him, he was
supposed to be dead. A few years since,
his father, who is now quite old and fee
BILE, resolved to apply for pension. Be-
fore the necessary papers could be pre-
pared, it became essential to discover
more authentic and reliable news of
Thompson's death or, il alive, his where
abouts. To this end the Grand Army Of
the Republic began an inquiry. At the
last encampment at Springfield it was re-
ported that man named Henry Thomp-
son resided in Mead county, Kansas, who
claimed to be member of the Fifteenth
Ohio Correspondence was opened with
him by Robert Thompson's friends here,
who in few weeks determined that the
man was Hugh Thompson, and they re-
solved to send for him. Accordingly,
paper was circulated, money was raised
and sent to him, and last Wednesday
night he arrived here. By many old COM
rades and friends he has been fully ideuti-
fed as the Hugh Thompson Of twenty
five years ago. Others do not readily
recognize him. but at the same time do
not deny that he may be the man. TAX
ing all the evidence into consideration. we
candidly believe that the man is Hugh
Thompson. He is now about forty-four
years of age and shows signs of the
trouble he has passed through. His story
as follows: In the winter of 1S71-72, at
point near Geneseo, Illinois, he discov-
cred, though but dimly, his intellect. At
| the moment OF the return of his reason he
was upon the highway and was clad in a
| good suit OF clothes, had on an army
overcoat, good pair OF boots, and had in
his hand well-worn oil-cloth valise. He
was utterly unable to remember what his
name was or whence he hailed. Sheltered
for day or two by an old soldier, he
drifted out and worked about the coun-
try until the spring of 1872, when he went
to jackson county, Iowa, and from thence
to point west of Winona, Minnesota,
about July 1872,
He remained, engaged in different en-
Payments, until the fall of 1875, when he
married with Jane Very. Seven chill
dren have blessed their union, the oldest,
all boys, now being dead, leaving to them
four children, all girls, now living. Re-
naming in Minnesota until 1877, he, to-
gether with his family, emigrated to Har
per county, Kansas, where he settled upon
and proved up" claim. There he re-
NAMED until May, 1884, when he removed
to Mead county, Kansas, and settled upon
homestead ten miles north of Mead
Center. A picture of Hugh Thompson
taken during the war and picture OF
Henry Thompson taken since 1872, salts
fy the friends and acquaintance OF the
former that they are one and the same
person. A playmate of Hugh Thompson
inflicted severe wound over his left eye,
which left very plain scar. Henry
Thompson has such scar. The captain
of company Il, Fifteenth Ohio Volun-
teers, declares that Hugh Thompson had
very large scar on his right ankle. Hen
ny Thompson has such scar.
Henry Thompson had in his possession
upon the return of his reason in 1871-72,
Testament wherein were written several
verses. A cousin of Hugh Thompson,
Lydia Hattery, identifies the verses as be-
ing in her handwriting, and that she gave
said Testament to Hugh Thompson I'M
mediately before he started to war.
Thompson's health was much impaired
by his wound, and pension will be Sc
cured for him if possible Where he was
from'63 to ~ is food only for conjecture.
He will remain here for a few weeks at
least before returning to his family in
Kansas.-VGn Vert (O) Republican.